A Real Pain in the Neck

Ever wake up and feel like you can’t move your neck? It happens to millions of people every day. That pesky crick in the neck can put a real crick in your day.

There are various types of neck pain according to spine­health.com. Some can be more serious than others. For the mild muscle pull from a bad night’s sleep or exercise, there are simple things you can do to help deal with the pain.

Don’t keep yourself from doing your daily activities says Charlene Challenger­Smith, a physical therapist with Saint Thomas Outpatient Rehabilitation. When people pull a neck muscle, they tend to guard themselves and not move their neck. Challenger­Smith says it’s actually best to loosen it up to a certain point. Over-the-counter anti­inflammatory medication may help. Applying some ice may bring some relief too.

If the pain lasts for more than a couple of days, call your doctor. Watch the video to learn more on what to do if you have a muscle strain in your neck. For a FREE injury and pain assessment screen, call 615­284­PT4U (7848) or go to www.sthealth.com/rehab.